"In his business as governor, he (Perry) has Mexico in his mind," Bremer said. "He is being a good neighbor. We don't need walls," he added, referring to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security border wall projec, which was scrapped last week by the Obama administration.

Bremer was one of at least six Mexican guests invited by Perry to attend the inauguration. Two were governors, Egidio Torre Cantú of Tamaulipas and Miguel Angel Osorio Chong of Hidalgo.

Four, in addition to Bremer, were CEOs: Eduardo Tricio Haro of Grupo Industrial Lala; Alejandro Marti, former CEO of Grupo Marti and now chairman of Mexico SOS; and Alejandro Junco, CEO of the newspaper chain Grupo Reforma, who lives part-time in Austin.

The Mexico delegation was organized, at Perry's request, by the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Antonio Garza. The former Texas railroad commissioner served as the ambassador in Mexico City from 2002 to 2009.

Garza said the delegation represents "the kind of partners we need and the kind of leadership from both the public and private sectors that is vital to Mexico's long-term prosperity and security and to ours here in Texas and the U.S."

"It's important to be good team members and to be better as companies," Bremer said. "We need to reduce crime and to do more business."

After witnessing Perry's swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, the group was treated to two receptions, one held by Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade of San Antonio, and another by Perry that was closed to media coverage.

Hidalgo Gov. Osorio expressed thanks for Perry's invitation. He said the federal governments of Mexico and the United States need good relationships, but so do U.S. and Mexican states.

The states "are where we can have the best discussions," Osorio said through an interpreter.

Mexico's war against organized crime and drug cartels was on the minds of the delegation.

Tamaulipas Gov. Torre stepped into office last year after the assassination of his brother, then-Gov. Rodolfo Torre Cantú.

Marti, who operated chains of sporting goods stores and fitness centers, suffered the loss of a son who was kidnapped and murdered. His son's death spurred Marti to create Mexico SOS, which focuses on the prevention of crime, violence and corruption.

"We have to work better as Mexicans so that the United States feels it has a good partner," Bremer said, referring to the need for more security.